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facet: Main
type: Traditional
locale: en_US
title: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
facet_type_id: 2234c450-580f-1032-b674-84d758e600d5
html_text: In 1928, four musicians from an Ann Arbor church joined together to play at services. Decades later, after several names and a number of music directors, the orchestra continues strong. Current music director Arie Lipsky leads the group through programs tailored for listeners of all ages, from evenings of Tchaikovsky and Dvořák to family-friendly sing-alongs. That emphasis on accessibility even extends beyond the orchestra—the orchestra reaches out to the community with a number of school programs that engage and transform music for children.

The nation's fourth-oldest orchestra, the DSO has been filling Detroit's music halls with top-notch euphony since 1887. By the 1920s, the orchestra came into its own, entering a golden age that saw them hosting such legends as Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. After financial difficulties put the outfit's hall in jeopardy, a multi-decade fund-raising effort led to their triumphant return home in 1989. Today, the orchestra remains one of the most recorded symphonies in the country, bringing the classical canon to millions of listeners and giving orchestra members something to blast at family gatherings when their siblings start talking about their jobs.

Hershey Theatre
The Hershey Theatre, conceived in 1933 by noted philanthropist and chocolatier Milton S. Hershey, stands as an opulent tribute to the performing arts. Taking architectural cues from Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, the foyer’s towering arches gleam with golden paint and crystal chandeliers. The blue-and-gold mosaic that leads to the main seating area is the masterwork of two German artists who spent two years on its construction. Once inside the theater, audiences might think they’ve stepped onto the streets of Venice thanks to the atmospheric ceiling, stonework facades, and gondoliers paddling them to their seats.
####Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Music has permeated the 800 manicured acres where the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has stood since 1969, when farmer Max Yasgur agreed to let love, peace, and harmony grow wild at the very first Woodstock festival. These days, the renowned outdoor venue and cultural center continues to attract the biggest acts in music to its pavilion stage. The open-air design ensures ample ventilation on the natural sloping lawn, and a roof protects up to 15,000 fans from inclement weather and the prying eyes of Cessna pilots.

The Detroit Orchestra Hall has welcomed audiences for over 100 years to enjoy performances presented with sublime acoustic. Since its building in 1919, this historic venue has undergone a drastic restoration. It was completed in 2003 with the new addition of the modern Max M. Fisher Music Center. The Orchestra Hall hosts a variety of events including special holiday concerts, a wonderful jazz series, and special family concerts--perfect for the kids! Walk in, take a seat and observe the lavish atmosphere finished in Beaux-Art décor as you wait to take in the performance. For a meal after the show dine at the divine Paradise Lounge. Taste one of their weekly three course meals created by Le Cordon Bleu-trained executive Chef Michael Polsinelli.

The intimate venue known today as City Theatre opened its doors in 1993 as the Second City Detroit. Renamed in 2004, the space still hews to the comedy troupe’s mission with a packed schedule of thigh-slapping theatrical performances. The stage is located inside the Hockeytown Café, where the entertainment is supplemented by a menu of beer, buffalo wings, and deep-fried pucks.

Groupon Guide

If thinking about a night at the symphony makes you sweat, take a deep breath and consider the following: you don’t need a monocle or a fur stole to fit in. Gone are the days when dressing like Mr. Monopoly was the norm, and that’s not the only aspect of symphony etiquette that’s changed in recent years.In general, concert culture is far more relaxed than it once was. According to Lisa McDaniel, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Director of Donor Engagement, there’s a good reason for this: “We want patrons to feel comfortable.” With that said, there’s a fine line between letting loose and becoming the most memorable part of your seating section’s evening. Here are a few tips to ensure a great night at the symphony—both for you and for those around you.There’s No Wrong Way to ClapIt’s a fairly typical scene: a silence settles over the crowd as the first movement winds down, only to be broken by a few awkward solo claps. How rude—or how perfect? “They’re probably clapping because they feel moved by the piece,” McDaniel explains. “If people feel the need to do it, they should … but they should be aware that some people sitting around them won’t.”Traditionally, clapping occurs at the end of the piece and not between movements. If you prefer not to be the odd one out, check your program. The evening’s performance listing should give you a clue as to the number of movements. If all else fails, wait until the conductor turns to face the audience—that’s your cue to clap away.Arrive on Time, or Risk Missing Part of the ShowAt the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many other venues, the doors to the auditorium close once the music begins. “You will probably not be ushered right into your seat until there’s a break between movements or pieces,” McDaniel warns. “But our front-of-the-house staff know exactly when to do that, so they will guide you and make you feel comfortable when you can go in.” The CSO also broadcasts the performance on an 80-inch TV in the second-floor ballroom, should you need to wait until intermission to take your seat.Save Your Gown for the BallThese days, it’s easier than ever to go straight from work to the concert hall. “Concerts are for the public,” McDaniel says. “So if you’re wearing jeans, that’s fine. If you’re wearing a suit, that’s fine. There’s no specific dress code.” With that said, you might want to think twice about bringing your “Bassoons are the Best” foam finger.So You Have to Cough…“We certainly don’t want to get in the way of anybody’s health,” McDaniel says, “so we don’t want you to hold it in.” If you do need some one-on-one time with your dry throat, feel free to excuse yourself to get a drink of water or a cough drop. Both are available for free in the lobbies of many concert halls. You may have to wait to re-enter, but at least you can feel good about it when you do.Think Twice Before Bringing the KidsEven if your dear toddler has already composed his first tune, he may not be ready to sit still for the duration of a long performance. Though the CSO offers some concerts specifically for children, McDaniel doesn’t recommend “the more grownup classical concerts” for kids younger than 8. The good news? At the CSO, the ballroom TV is a great way for parents to watch the show with their children.Photos by Todd Rosenberg, courtesy of Chicago Symphony Orchestra.Brush up on your arts etiquette with help from the Groupon Guide:A Dancer Tells Us How to Prepare for a Night at the BalletEverything You Need to Know Before Your First Opera